Can the ‘vetting’ of NDP candidates be made democratic?

Canadian media and politicians have been highly critical of Iranian governance. Few believe it’s democratic even though the country holds elections in which tens of millions participate.

The reason, in part, is how candidates are vetted. A Canadian foreign affairs minister once labelled Iranian elections “effectively meaningless” because only “regime-friendly candidates” are allowed to run. The NDP has “long condemned Iranian leadership” while western aligned Human Rights Watch has repeatedly complained about Iranian election vetting.

Iran’s Interior Ministry investigates each registered candidate’s background and qualifications. Ultimately, a 12-member Guardian Council decides if someone is allowed to present themselves for the presidency.

But few describe a similar type of vetting in Canada as a major restriction on democracy. In recent years the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Greens have all blocked or expelled significant candidates from races. In the recent BC NDP race climate activist Anjali Appadurai was expelled when she looked like she would win the party leadership and in the last federal Green Party leadership race eco-socialist Green Party of Quebec leader Alex Tyrell, was excluded from participating.

Would any party with representation in Parliament allow a candidate who identifies as an eco-socialist? How about an anti-imperialist?

In the ongoing NDP leadership race a committee of three backroom officials decides if members are allowed to evaluate a potential candidate. According to the rules, a prospective applicant can be excluded if they don’t comply with “the principles and core values of the Party.” The official Rules Governing Leadership Contest notes:

“The Leadership Vote Committee shall approve or reject Applications for Leadership Contestants. To determine whether to accept or reject an Application, the Leadership Vote Committee shall consider:

“a. The Applicant’s compliance with eligibility criteria set out in these Rules, including meeting the principles and core values of the Party;

“b. The principles of the Party and the mandate of the Leader of the Party;

“c. The best interests of the Party as a whole;

“d. The need for Leadership Contestants to consistently show integrity, honesty, professionalism, leadership, and respect for human rights, diversity, and equity; and

“e. Any other consideration that is appropriate in the circumstances.”

As such, NDP insiders have near complete latitude to expel a potential candidate irrespective of their support from members. Additionally, the courts have demonstrated little willingness to restrict political parties’ ability to arbitrarily vet out candidates (even though Elections Canada rules shape the races).

Party vetting leads to a culture of fear among progressives in which people self-censor to stay within “acceptable” limits of criticism. But, at a time of climate breakdown, vast inequality and Canadian enabled genocide what should be the “acceptable” range of debate?

Vetting leads to greater political conformity. It’s one factor in explaining why everyone in Parliament supported a former SS soldier, a leading Canadian Zionist for his “contribution to the defence of human rights” and the bombing of Libya.

I have yet to submit for vetting in my bid to lead the NDP out of fear the 3-person insider committee will summarily block our 1,000-volunteer campaign. This would cut off our momentum and our ability to influence the race with our comprehensive, activist platform. One motivation in releasing the platform early in the race was to use it to demonstrate the seriousness of the campaign in the hopes of getting past vetting.

In another move to reduce the odds of being expelled from the race, we are directly challenging the undemocratic nature of vetting. On Saturday we hosted “How Vetting Denies Democracy” and we’ll soon be releasing an alternative vetting form.

As part of the movement to reform the party, bring it closer to the grassroots and make it a real left alternative to the Liberals, the vetting process must be scrutinized and revised.

To assist, donate or learn more about my bid to lead the NDP check out yvesforndpleader.ca